Apparatus for processing a strip of pliable material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for continuously conveying a ribbon-like strip of pliable dough-like material or the like while automatically repetitively shaping adjacent sections thereof and severing the same into shaped scoop-like products.

United States Patent 1 Griner et al.

[451 Sept. 18,1973

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A STRIP OF PLIABLE MATERIAL Inventors: Arthur J. Griner, Wyckoif, N.J.;

William A. Blain, Spring Valley,

Assignee: Nabisco, Inc., New York, N.Y. Filed: 'Apr. 7, 19.71

Appl. No.: 132,124

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 65,727, Aug. 20,-

1970, Pat. No. 3,653,335, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 754,415, Aug. 21, 1968, abandoned.

US. Cl 425/302, 425/307, 425/310,

. 425/316 Int. Cl A22 11/10 Field of Search 425/168, 293, 294,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,504,640. 4/1970 Eiden et al 425/306 2,724,214 11/1955 Guilleminot 425/383 X 3,649,144 3/1972 Breck 425/303 X 2,629,341 2/1953 Rice....; 425/302 X Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overhol ser Assistant ExaminerDavid S. Safran Att0rney-Dale A. Bauer, John L. Seymour, Bauer & Seymour and Irving A. Strombeck [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for continuously conveying a ribbon-like strip of pliable dough-like material or the like while'automatically repetitively shaping adjacent sections thereof and severing the same into shaped scoop-like products.

27 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PAIENTED 73 SHEEU 1 BF ATTORNEYS PATENTEU Y 3,59 65D saw u ar INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER BY WILLIAM A. BLAIN 6m MW 55 ATTORNEYS PATENTED 3.759.650

sum 5 or a i it F.2- qm/i INVENTORS 92 ARTHUR J. GRINER BY WILLIAM A. BLAIN A TORNEYS PATENTED 3,759,650

SHEET 6 (IF 8 INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER WILLIAM A. BLAIN 5% MW ATTORNEYS PATENTED 3 SHEET 7 0F 8 INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER WILLIAM A. BLAIN 5m w l /W ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 3. 759 .650

SHEET 8 0F 8 INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER BY WILLIAM A. BLAIN mam/d ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A STRIP OF FLIABLE MATERIAL This application is a continuation-in-part of our application, Ser. No. 65,727 filed Aug. 20, 1970, for Machine for Producing Snack Food in the Shape of a Scoop (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,335), as a continuation of our application, Ser. No. 754,415 filed Aug. 21, 1968 (now abandoned).

The present invention relates to apparatus for processing thin ribbon-like strips of pliable material and more particularly to a machine adapted to converting such stripsinto smallspecially shaped products.

An object of the invention is to provide novel apparatus for processing a fragile strip of dough-like'material to produce edible snack products or the like at high speed and minimum cost.

Another object is to provide a novelly constructed machine for efficiently shaping or molding a continuously moving strip of material and cutting the same into shaped sections with a minimum of damage and waste.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a novel method of forming specially shaped half products of edible material from thin, ribbon-like strips thereof in a continuous manner.

Another object is to provide novel means for severing sections from a strip of material while the same is being advanced on a conveyor.

Still another object is to provide novel means for applying oil or the like to the product supporting surfaces of an endless conveyor to prevent adherence of the product thereto. i

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection 'with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a partially diagrammatic, side elevation of one form of apparatus embodying the invention for converting a flexible dough-like strip or ribbon into scoop shaped half products;

FIG. 2 is a detail side elevation view of a product confining and hold-down mechanism, and means for imparting longitudinal reciprocation thereto;

FIG. 3 is a detail side elevation view, partly in section, and on an enlarged scale, of a portion of said holddown mechanism in lowered operative position;

FIG. 4 is a detail side elevation view of means for imparting vertical reciprocation to the hold-down mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detail side elevation view of the product crimping or folding mechanism of the apparatus as seen in FIG. I and from the bottom in FIG. 6 together with means for imparting lateral reciprocation thereto;

FIG. 6 is aplan view taken on line 6--6 of FIGS. 5 and 8 showing the crimping mechanism in closed operative position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmetnary view, partly in section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6, showinga part of the product conveyor and parts of the hold-down and crimping mechanisms in inoperative positions;

FIG. 8 is anenlarged scale fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 1 with hold-down and crimping mechanisms in operative positions;

FIG. 9 is a detail plan view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 1 showing side cutting mechanism for cutting the folded or crimped portions of the product strip;

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on line 1010 of FIG. 9 showing vacuum hold-down means for'the product;

FIG. 11 is a fragmetnary detail elevation view taken from line ill-11 of FIG. 12 showing cross cutting means near the delivery end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 for transversely severing the product strip;

FIG. 12 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIGpM is asectional view taken FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a detail sectional view 1515 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 1 showing conveyor oiling mechanism; and

FIG. 17 is a detail sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

A single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, by way of example, in the form of a machine embodying an endless conveyor for continuously feeding a ribbon-like strip of dough, such as gelatinized corn meal or other cereal, and means for shaping or forming and severing the same into scoop-shaped half products. The latter may be further cooked, as by deep fat frying or otherwise, and eaten as a snack food and for scooping and eating dips at social gatherings. Such a product is illustrated. in U.S. Design patent No. 212,070 and in our above-mentioned parent application, Ser. No. 65,727.

As illustrated, the machine comprises aframe including two transversely spaced main side plates 10 and 11 mounted on pairs of vertical supports 12 and 14. Endless conveyor means 15 mounted on the frame comprise two spaced chains 16, 16 mounted on pairs of sprockets 17 and 18 respectively mounted on an idler shaft 19 and a drive shaft 20 journalled in plates 10, 1 l. Shaft 20 and, hence, the conveyor is driven by a motor 21 through a chain 22, concentric sprockets 23 and 24 on a cross shaft 25, a chain 26 and sprocket 27. The conveyor is preferably continuously driven at a constant speed with the upper reach thereof advancing toward the right in FIG. 1.

Each conveyor chain 16 is made up of pivoted links spaced by rollers 28 on the pivot pins 29. Carried between the chains on alternate pins 29 are a series of plates or platforms 30 on each of which is mounted a strip supporting die block 31. Each said plateform is provided at each side thereof with a closed boss 32 and a slotted boss 33 to receive pins 29 as shown in FIG. 17. Each block 31' has vertically extending side guides 34 and a transverse slot 35 in which a hardened metal cutting anvil 36 is provided. The upper surfaces of blocks 31, as viewed in FIG. 9, are of outwardly convex transverse section (FIG. 7). The open face or surface of each anvil 36 is preferably plane and intersects the crest of the convex surface of block 31.

A flexible, pliable dough striP 37 is fed onto the moving conveyor 15 from the left in FIG. 1 and is supported on .the spaced convex surfaces of die blocks 31 between guides 3d. The sections of the ribbon-like strip between on line 14-14 of taken on line caused to bow in conformity to the convex surfaces of said blocks. To hold strip 37 against blocks 31, suction means may be provided. In the form illustrated, said means comprises an elongated vacuum chamber 38 supported by and between plates 10, 11 beneath the upper reach of conveyor 15. A track member 39 is mounted on chamber 38 for supporting and guiding the upper reaches or runs of chains 16, 16 (FIG. A central slot 40 is provided in chamber 38 and member 39 and communicates with passages 41 through conveyor members 30, 31. Vacuum applied from a suitable source (not shown) to chamber 38 is thus applied to the lower surface of strip 37 through passages 40, 41. Conveyor plates 30 make sealing engagement with member 39 and end-to-end sealing engagement with each other when traveling above chamber 38.

Novel means are provided for cooperating with die blocks 31 to closely confine spaced sections of strip 37 and cause the intermediate sections thereof to bow transversely as pointed out above. As shown, the strip confining or hold-down means comprises a bar 42 supported above the conveyor and having downwardly extending spaced pairs of forming blades 43. Said bar and blades are normally supported well above blocks 31 (FIG. 7) by a pair of rods 44 (FIGS. 2 and 3), which slidably extend through a traveling yoke 45, and compression springs 46 interposed between the yoke and a bar 47 connecting the upper ends of rods 44.

Means for moving bar 42, 43 downwardly into operative relation with blocks 31 (FIG. 3).comprise an elongated, vertically reciprocable track 48 adapted to engage and guide rollers 49 mounted on bar 47 (FIGS. 4 and 8). Track 48 is pivotally connected to and supported by corresponding parallel arms of a pair of cranks 50, 50 which are pivotally mounted at 57 on a stationary superstructure 51 attached to plates 10, 11. The other parallel arms of cranks 50 are pivotally connected to opposite ends of a rigid link 52, whereby track 48 is maintained horizontal and parallel to con-' veyor 15. Said track is vertically reciprocated in predetermined timed relation with the constantly advancing conveyor and strip 37 by means comprising a link 53, a crank 54 on a cross shaft 55, and a box cam 56 driven by shaft 25 to oscillate crank 54 and, hence, cranks 50, 50 to move track 48 up and down between the full and dotted line positions of FIGS. 3 and 4.

When track 48 and, hence, hold-down bar 42 are in down or operative position (FIG. 3) the lower concave faces of blades or fingers 43 (FIG. 8) are preferably spaced from the outer convex surface of blocks 31 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the ribbon 37 to thereby closely confine and hold spaced sections of the latter against upwardly movement without compressing the same. The lower faces or edges of blades 43 are concave and complementary with the convex surfaces of blocks 31 and accordingly function to impart a transverse curvature to the strip 37 above and between blocks 31.

Means are also provided for reciprocating the holddown bar assembly 42, 43 longitudinally of the conveyor 15 so that said assembly may be moved into operative relation with and travel longitudinally a short distance with successive predetermined lengths of the conveyor and strip 37. In the form shown, said means comprises yoke 45 which is slidably supported on laterally spaced rods 58 fixed in superstructure 51. The yoke is linearly reciprocated on rods 58 by means comprising a bar 59 pivotally connected at its ends to the yoke and one arm of a crank 60 pivoted on axis 55, the other arm of said crank having a follower engaging a rotating box cam 61 on shaft 25. The earns 56 and 61 are so designed and rotated in timed relation with conveyor 15 that former blades 43 will be longitudinally advanced at the same speed as conveyor blocks 31 when said blades are in their lowered operative position illustrated in FIG. 3, and will be returned in the reverse longitudinal direction at a greater speed when raised clear of the conveyor (FIG. 7). In the embodiment shown there are twelve pairs of hold-down forming blades 43 on bar 42 to cooperate simultaneously with an equal number of die blocks 31 on the conveyor. The vertical and longitudinal oscillations of the assembly 42, 43 are so timed that the latter will be moved smoothly into and out of operative relation with successive sets of twelve die blocks.

Means are provided for folding or crimping the unsupported sections of strip 37 between successive blocks 31 while the intermediate sections resting on said blocks are confined and held down by the holddown blades 43. Said means, as shown, comprises duplicate or mirror image crimping or folding bar assemblies 62, 62 (FIGS. 5 to 8) face-to-face on opposite sides of conveyor 15. Said assemblies are mounted for longitudinal reciprocation with yoke or carriage 45, and hence, with the strip confining assembly 42, 43, and for lateral reciprocation toward and away from each other and the conveyor. The folding bar assemblies have spaced projections or fingers 63 on confronting faces of assemblies 62 adapted, as the latter converge, to engage opposite edges of the transversely bowed sections of strip 37 between blocks 31, then fold said sections along the longitudinal center line of the strip, and finally press the engaging faces of the fold together. Strip 37 is of such nature that the thus folded sections will remain folded when released by the folding bar assemblies.

The ends of each folder bar 62 are pivotally connected at 72 to corresponding parallel arms of a pair of cranks 64, 64 (FIG. 1) which are pivotally mounted at pivot 65 on and below carriage 45 and have the other parallel arms thereof pivotally connected to the ends of a tie bar 66 to maintain bars 62, 62 in mirror image relation parallel to each other and to conveyor 15 (FIG. 6). Bars 62, 62 are simultaneously reciprocated laterally in opposite directions by push rods 67, 67 connected between said other arms of the two right-hand cranks 64 (FIG. 6) and parallel levers 68, 68 (only one shown) that are in turn connected to a rock shaft 69 and thence to a crank arm 70 on shaft 69, the free end of which follows a rotating box cam 71 (FIG. 5). The fingers 63 on bars 62 enter the moving conveyor between blocks 31 and fold opposite edges of the advancing strip 37 downwardly and together to form the flat finger grip portions 73 on the scoop-shaped product 75 to be delivered by the apparatus.

The moving parts of the strip shaping mechanism described above are all cyclically driven from drive shaft 25 and hence in timed relation to each other. The upper reach of conveyor 15 and hence ribbon ro strip 37 are continuously driven in one direction (left to right in FIG. 1) at a constant speed. Yoke or carriage 45 is reciprocated longitudinally of the conveyor at variable speed and carries with it the strip hold-down bar assembly 42, 43 and the strip folding assemblies 62, 63. As the carriage 45, together with said assemblies,

bars 62 will engage the edges of strip 37 and then continue to converge and thereby fold the sections 73 of the strip between die blocks 31. While continuing to move forward at the same speed as the conveyor, the assemblies 62, 63 and 42, 43 are successively withdrawn from the conveyor path to their inoperative positions illustrated in F IG. 7. Carriage 45 and said assemblies are then moved rearwardly from their right-hand (FIG. 1) terminal positions while that position of the strip 37 thus acted upon by said assemblies moved forwardly beneath them. When the carriage again reaches its left-hand terminal position (to the left in FIG. 1) the cycle is repeated to similarly shape the next adjacent corresponding length of strip 37, i.e., a length commensurate with the length of the crimping assembly 62, 63. During each cycle as described, each of the earns 56, 61 and 71 makes one revolution..

Novel means are provided downstream from the above described strip shaping mechanism for cutting the shaped strip into short scoop-like sections 75, the length of each sector being equal to one half the distance between the centers of adjacent die blocks 31. In the form shown, said means comprises side cutters for severing the strip at successive folded portions 73 midway between the die blocks. Each thus severed length 74 is held on a block 31 by vacuum-applied through passages 41 from chamber 38, 43 and comprises a central transversely bowed portion with a folded and flattened finger grip portion 73 at each end. The illustrated side cutter means comprise a blade wheel 76 and a cooperating anvil wheel 77 which are oppositely rotated in timed relation with conveyor (FIG. 9). Wheel 76 carries a plurality of angularly spaced, radially extending blades 78, and wheel 77 has an equal number of angularly spaced, radially projecting cutters or anvils 79 that cooperate with blades 73 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 13. Said blades and anvils mesh with the chain of die blocks 31 on the conveyor when wheels 76 and 77 are continuously rotated at an angular speed such that the speed of the cutting edges or surfaces of blades 78 and anvils 79 will equal the linear speed'of the conveyor and strip 37.

Cutter wheels 76 and 77 are mounted on vertical stub shafts 33 and 31, respedtively, which are in turn supported by low friction thrust bearings in similar tubular casings 32, 33. The latter are preferably mounted on a fixed platform 341 between side plates 13 and 11, preferably for lateral adjustment relative to conveyor 15, 16. Said stub shafts are driven by across shaft 35 on which bevel gears 86 and 87 are keyed and positioned to mesh with bevel gears 33 and 39, respectively, on the stub shafts (FIG. 13). Shaft 85 is driven in timed relation with the conveyor through a gear train consisting of a gear 93, an idler gear 91 and a gear 92 mounted on the shaft.

In the illustrated embodiment shaft casing 32 has the base thereof dove-tailed with the parallel sides of a slot in plate 93 secured to plateform to pennit said castransversely relative to the conveyor and anvil wheel 77, 79. Terminal outward lateral movement of the blade wheel is adjustably determined by a set screw 94, and terminal inward lateral movement threof toward conveyor 15 is determined by a clamp 95 on shaft 35 which may be adjusted axially of shaft 35 to limit the axial movement of bevel gear 36 thereon. The bevel gears 36 and 33 may be loosely meshed to permit easy, tine adjustments by set screw 93 to correct for blade wear and the like. Bevel gear 37 is adjustably held against axial movement on shaft 35 by a pair of clamps 114.

After being severed by side cutters 73, 79 from the leading end of strip 37, the pieces or sections 74 are held in place on die blocks 31 by vacuum in chamber 33 and advanced by the conveyor to novel cross cutter means comprising novelly mounted blades 96 which cooperate with inserts 36 in die blocks 31 to transversely sever said pieces centrally and thus complete the formation of scoop-shaped half-products 75 which may then be dried and cooked in hot grease or oil or otherwise suitably processed. In the illustrated apparatus a plurality of cross cutter blades 96 are mounted on a rotating drum 97 to extend radially therefrom with equal angular spacing (FIGS; 11 and 12). Each blade 96 is loosely mounted in a radial slot 93 in a spoke or block 99 formed integrally with or suitably secured, such as by stud bolts 130, to drum 97 and is pivotally supported on a cross pin 131. The diameter of the latter is such as to permit free pivotal movement of blade 96 thereon and, if desired, may be appreciably less than the diameter of the hole in blade 96 through which it extends to thereby permit slight radial movement as well as pivotal movementof the blade about the pin relative to drum 97, 99 to insure full or square engagement of the cutting edge of the blade with the plate face of an anvil strip 36 in a die block 31. Drum 97 is continuously driven in timed relation with conveyor 15, and the blades 96 are so angularly spaced about the periphery of the drum that successive blades lightly engage a cutter insert 36 to transversely sever the interposed dough piece 74.

Drum 97, 99 is keyed to a rotatable shaft 132 supported in bearings in the free ends of arms 133, 134 that extend rearwardly from a tubular hub 135 freely mounted on a stationary cross shaft 136 (FIG. 11) supported in the stationary frame of the apparatus. The

drive for rotating the drum is derived from a gear 137 on conveyor shaft 23, an idler gear 133 on a stub shaft 139, an idler gear 113 on shaft 136, and a gear 111 keyed to shaft 132. Drum 97 is thus continuously driven in timed relation with conveyor 15 so that successive blades 96 cooperate with successive blocks 31, 36 and the cutting edges of blades 96 travel at the same speed as the conveyor.

Means are provided for positively limiting downward, counter-clockwise (FIG. 1) bodily movement of drum 97 and hence baldes 96 about pivot shaft 136 and for nut 117 threaded onto rod 115 functions as an adjustable stop to limit counter-clockwise movement (FIG. 1 l) of the arms of yoke 103-105 and hence downward movement of drum 97 toward conveyor 15. A compression spring 118 is interposed between arm 112 and adjustable nuts 119 to yieldably resist clockwise movement of arm 112 and hence upward movement of the blade drum.

Novel means are provided in combination with the above-described rotating cross cutter assembly to strip the severed products 75, if necessary, from blades 96 as the latter are withdrawn from cutting positionrelative to conveyor 15. In the form illustrated said means comprises a disc 120 keyed to shaft 102 and having angularly spaced radial arms 121 at the periphery thereof, each of said arms being in axial registry with a blade 96. A stripper 122 straddles and is pivotally mounted at 123 on each arm 121 and comprises a portion 124 extending radially inwardly from pivot 123 toward shaft 102 and a portion 125 extending axially of shaft 102 toward a blade 96 (FIG. 12). The free end of each portion 125 is bifurcated, and the furcations 126 straddle a blade 96. The portion 125 of each stripper 122 is normally held against an adjustable stop 127 by a compression spring 128 with the furcations 126 withdrawn inwardly toward shaft 102. As each cutter blade 96 and its associated stripper fingers 126 approach the conveyor 15, 36, a cam follower, such as a roller 129 mounted on the free end of stripper portion 124 engages and follows a stationary arcuate cam 130 (FIGS. 12, 13 and mounted on arm 103 of the supporting yoke for shaft 102. The stripper 122 is thus pivoted against the force of spring 128 to move the surfaces 131 of furcations 126 into proximity with the piece 74 which is being severed by the corresponding blade 96. Cam 130 is preferably suitably designed to time the radially outward movement of furcations 126 to strip the severed scoop-shaped pieces 75 from the blades, in the event there is any tendency of the same to adhere, without compressing the product against die blocks 31, 36.

The scoop-shaped pieces 75 thus formed are carried by the conveyor beyond vacuum chamber 38 to release the same and downwardly around the conveyor sprockets 18 where the same may drop into a suitable container or onto a suitable belt conveyor, not shown. If there is any tendency of the product to stick to die blocks 31, the apparatus may be equipped with means, as disclosed in out parent applications mentioned above, for discharging air under pressure outwardly through passages 41 in blocks 31. The complete disclosure of said parent applications is included herein by reference.

As a precaution against any undesirable adherence of strip 37 or the severed sections thereof to the blocks 31, the latter, when on the lower return reach of the conveyor, may be cleaned in a known manner, as by an annular rotating brush (not shown), and a suitable edible liquid, such as vegetable oil or the like may be applied to said blocks. Suitable means for this latter purpose are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 16 and 17 as comprising a container 132 of said liquid, a rotating pick-up roller 133 which is partially immersed in the liquid, and a rotating dauber or applicator wheel 134 having spaced daubers or applicators 135 of foamed material, felt, or the like extending radially from the periphery thereof. The daubers pick up oil from the surface of roller 133 and apply it to the surface of the passing die blocks 31.

An excess of oil on roller 133 may be prevented by the use of a doctor blade or any well known device, such as that illustrated at 136. Applicator wheel 134 is keyed to a cross shaft 137 and is driven in timed relation with the conveyor by a sprocket 138 that meshes with one of the conveyor chains 16. Disc or roll 133 is mounted on a cross shaft 139 driven from shaft 137 by gears 140 and 141.

There is thus provided novel simplified apparatus for novelly processing in a continuous manner strips of material, such as ribbon-like strips of dough-like material, to shape and divide the strip into specially shaped products, such as edible scoop-shaped snack products. Said apparatus is capable of mechanically mass producing such products rapidly, efficiently, and economically. Although only a single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in the foregoing specification, it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits and scope of the invention, reference is had to the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing the strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks for supporting the strip, a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of the strip, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith, vertical reciprocation relative thereto and cooperable with said blocks for confining longitudinally spaced sections of the advancing strip, means independent of the carriage for moving said strip confining means downwardly into operative position in relation to the advancing strip, resilient means on the carriage for retracting said strip confining means from operative position, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith and transverse reciprocation relative thereto for folding sections of the advancing strip between said confined sections, and rotary cutting means for severing the advancing strip centrally of each section folded by said folding means, whereby sections having folded end portions are severed from the leading end of the strip.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for moving the strip confining means downwardly into operative position comprises an elongated track engageable with said strip confining means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said track is vertically reciprocable and fixed against movement longitudinally of the strip.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 comprising cam actuated crank means for vertically reciprocating said track and strip confining means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said blocks and said strip confining means have relatively complementary convex and concave surfaces whereby to transversely bow the strip without compressing it.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said folding means includes crank means pivotally mounted on the carriage, and further comprising cam means for actuating said crank means.

7. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said cutting means comprises a first rotating wheel mounting a plurality of angularly spaced, radial blades and a second oppositely rotating wheel mounting anvils which cooperate with said blades.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim ll comprising rotary cutting means cooperable with. the conveyor blocks for transversely cutting said severed sections intermediate the ends thereof as the same are advanced by the conveyor means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 comprising means for continuously rotating said cutting means in timed relation with said conveyor means;

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said cutting means comprises a pluralityof angularly spaced revolving blades on a rotating support.

11. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless coneyor means having a generally horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing the strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks for supporting the strip, a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of the strip, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith, vertical reciprocation relative thereto an cooperable with said blocks for confining longitudinally shaped sections of the advancing strip, means indpendent of the carriage for moving said strip confining means downwardly into operative position in relation to the advancing strip, resilient means on the carriage for retracting said strip confining means from operative position, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith and transverse reciprocation relative thereto for folding sections of the advancing strip between said confined sections, and rotarycutting means for severing the strip transversely midway between the sections folded by said folding means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said cutting means comprises a rotatable support mounting a plurality of angularly spaced, radial cutting blades cooperable with the blocks on the conveyor means to sever the strip.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein each said block comprises a transverse, centrally disposed cutting anvil cooperable with said cutting blades.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim l2 comprising means for pivotally mounting the blades on said rotatable support.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for pivotally mounting each blade comprises a cylindrical pivot pin extending through a hole in the blade having aslightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the pin.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim M comprising stripper means associated with each said cutting blade for stripping severed sections of the strip from the cutting blade when the latter is being withdrawn from the cooperating conveyor block.

i7.'Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein each said stripper means is pivotally mounted on said support and further comprising resilient means for normally holding the stripper means in inoperative position and cam means for moving the same into operative position in response to rotation of said support.

18. Apparatus as define in claim 12 comprising pivoted lever means on which said support is rotatably mounted, whereby the latter is movable about the pivotal axis of the lever means toward and away from the conveyor blocks, stop means for limiting such movement of the support toward said blocks, and resilient means resisting such movement of the support away from said blocks.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 comprising driving means for rotating said support including meshing gears having axes concentric with the axes of said support and said lever means, respectively.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising suction means for holding the strip against said blocks on the upper reach of the conveyor means.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said suction means comprises a hollow chamber on which the upper reach of the conveyor means rides and passes in the conveyor means between the interior of the chamber and the surfaces of said blocks engaged by the strip. V

22. In apparatus for processing a strip of material, endless conveyor means comprising longitudinally spaced projections for supporting the strip at spaced intervals, means for continuously 'driving said conveyor means to continuously advance said strip, means for folding the advancing strip at spaced intervals between successive projections, and means for severing the advancing strip between successive projections to thereby sever sections of the leading end of the strip, said lastnamed means comprising first and second rotatable supports, angularly spaced, radially extending cutting blades on said first support at one side of the conveyor means, angularly spaced cutting anvils at the periphery of the second support on the opposite side of said conveyor means, and means for rotating said supports in opposite directions in unison so that said blades and anvils cooperate to sever the advancing strip.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising vacuum means for holding the strip and severed sections on said spaced projections.

. 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for confining sections of the strip engaging said projections to maintain the contour thereof while the strip is folded between said projections.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means cooperable with said projections for transversely cutting said severed sections intermediate the ends thereof to divide the same into parts.

26'. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said transverse cutting means comprises a rotatable support means and angularly spaced cutting blades extending radially from said support means to cooperate with said projections.

27. Apparatus as defined in .claim 26 comprising means carried by said support means for stripping the resulting parts of the severed sections from the cutting i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE a CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,759,650 DatedSeDtemb er 18. 1973 Inventor(s) Arthur J. Griner and William A. Bl ain It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent .1 that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 52, change "plateform" to -platform--;

Column 5, line 19, change "position" to --portion--; line 20, change "moved" to --moves--; and line 5 change "respedtively" to -respectively-. Column 6, line 38, change"plate" to --plane-. Column 9, line 5 change "1 to --12--. Column 10, line 20, change "passes" to --passages--.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FIETCHER,JR. I RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FQRM F G-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC wan-ps0 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFjfICE: [Q09 0-366-384. 

1. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless conveyor means having a generally horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing the strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks for supporting the strip, a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of the strip, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith, vertical reciprocation relative thereto and cooperable with said blocks for confining longitudinally spaced sections of the advancing strip, means independent of the carriage for moving said strip confining means downwardly into operative position in relation to the advancing strip, resilient means on the carriage for retracting said strip confining means from operative position, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith and transverse reciprocation relative thereto for folding sections of the advancing strip between said confined sections, and rotary cutting means for severing the advancing strip centrally of each section folded by said folding means, whereby sections having folded end portions are severed from the leading end of the strip.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for moving the strip confining means downwardly into operative position comprises an elongated track engageable with said strip confining means.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said track is verticallY reciprocable and fixed against movement longitudinally of the strip.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 comprising cam actuated crank means for vertically reciprocating said track and strip confining means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said blocks and said strip confining means have relatively complementary convex and concave surfaces whereby to transversely bow the strip without compressing it.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said folding means includes crank means pivotally mounted on the carriage, and further comprising cam means for actuating said crank means.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting means comprises a first rotating wheel mounting a plurality of angularly spaced, radial blades and a second oppositely rotating wheel mounting anvils which cooperate with said blades.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising rotary cutting means cooperable with the conveyor blocks for transversely cutting said severed sections intermediate the ends thereof as the same are advanced by the conveyor means.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 comprising means for continuously rotating said cutting means in timed relation with said conveyor means.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said cutting means comprises a plurality of angularly spaced revolving blades on a rotating support.
 11. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless coneyor means having a generally horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing the strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks for supporting the strip, a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of the strip, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith, vertical reciprocation relative thereto an cooperable with said blocks for confining longitudinally shaped sections of the advancing strip, means indpendent of the carriage for moving said strip confining means downwardly into operative position in relation to the advancing strip, resilient means on the carriage for retracting said strip confining means from operative position, means mounted on the carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith and transverse reciprocation relative thereto for folding sections of the advancing strip between said confined sections, and rotary cutting means for severing the strip transversely midway between the sections folded by said folding means.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said cutting means comprises a rotatable support mounting a plurality of angularly spaced, radial cutting blades cooperable with the blocks on the conveyor means to sever the strip.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein each said block comprises a transverse, centrally disposed cutting anvil cooperable with said cutting blades.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 comprising means for pivotally mounting the blades on said rotatable support.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for pivotally mounting each blade comprises a cylindrical pivot pin extending through a hole in the blade having a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the pin.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 comprising stripper means associated with each said cutting blade for stripping severed sections of the strip from the cutting blade when the latter is being withdrawn from the cooperating conveyor block.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein each said stripper means is pivotally mounted on said support and further comprising resilient means for normally holding the stripper means in inoperative position and cam means for moving the same into operative position in response to rotation of said support.
 18. Apparatus as define in claim 12 comprising pivoted lever means on which said support is rotatably mounted, whereby the latter is movable about the pivotal axis of the lever means toward and away from the conveyor blocks, stop means for limiting such movement of the support towarD said blocks, and resilient means resisting such movement of the support away from said blocks.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 comprising driving means for rotating said support including meshing gears having axes concentric with the axes of said support and said lever means, respectively.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising suction means for holding the strip against said blocks on the upper reach of the conveyor means.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said suction means comprises a hollow chamber on which the upper reach of the conveyor means rides and passes in the conveyor means between the interior of the chamber and the surfaces of said blocks engaged by the strip.
 22. In apparatus for processing a strip of material, endless conveyor means comprising longitudinally spaced projections for supporting the strip at spaced intervals, means for continuously driving said conveyor means to continuously advance said strip, means for folding the advancing strip at spaced intervals between successive projections, and means for severing the advancing strip between successive projections to thereby sever sections of the leading end of the strip, said last-named means comprising first and second rotatable supports, angularly spaced, radially extending cutting blades on said first support at one side of the conveyor means, angularly spaced cutting anvils at the periphery of the second support on the opposite side of said conveyor means, and means for rotating said supports in opposite directions in unison so that said blades and anvils cooperate to sever the advancing strip.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising vacuum means for holding the strip and severed sections on said spaced projections.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for confining sections of the strip engaging said projections to maintain the contour thereof while the strip is folded between said projections.
 25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means cooperable with said projections for transversely cutting said severed sections intermediate the ends thereof to divide the same into parts.
 26. Apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said transverse cutting means comprises a rotatable support means and angularly spaced cutting blades extending radially from said support means to cooperate with said projections.
 27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 comprising means carried by said support means for stripping the resulting parts of the severed sections from the cutting blades. 